January 2015

A Cultural Publication for Puerto Ricans
EL BORICUA is a monthly cultural publication, established in
1995, that is Puerto Rican owned and operated. We are NOT
sponsored by any club or organization. Our goal is to present
and promote our "treasure" which is our Cultural Identity “the Puerto Rican experience.” EL BORICUA is presented in
English and is dedicated to the descendants of Puerto Ricans
wherever they may be.
Index
In January we celebrate our poets and writers. Enjoy!
Siempre Boricua, Ivonne Figueroa
Page
Credits
2
Puerto Rican writer
2
Visit Puerto Rico/Restaurant review
3
Taínos - Calendar - Don Guillo
4
Diego el Tavernero/ Poemas Riqueños
5
Primos/Cuba
6
Food Blogs – Velez/Jaime in the Kitchen
7
Nuestra Cocina Criolla
8
More recipes
Puerto Rican literature evolved from the art of oral story telling to
its present day status. Written works by the native islanders of Puerto
Rico were prohibited and repressed by the Spanish colonial
government. Only those who were commissioned by the Spanish
Crown to document the chronological history of the island were
allowed to write.
9
Book Review
10
Betty Nieves-Ilyas Column
10
JANUARY 2015
Puerto Rico
patria de mis amores,
isla de flores
solo pienso en tí.
Puerto Rico
de bellos palmares,
tus dulces cantares
viven en mí.
Puerto Rico
isla primorosa,
isla preciosa
donde yo nací,
En tu suelo
ví la luz del cielo,
y entre tus palmas
quiero morir.
JANUARY 2015
EL BORICUA
PAGE 2
Nemesio R Canales Rivera, 1878 - 1923
Writer, politician, and political activist Nemesio R.
Canales Rivera was born in Jayuya, Puerto Rico on
December 18, 1878. In addition to founding Puerto
Rico’s most widely circulated newspaper, as one of
his greatest feats, although rejected, Canales
proposed one of the first bills intending to grant
Puerto Rican women their full civil rights,
including the right to vote.
Canales initially pursued his undergraduate studies in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
and the attended the University of Zaragoza in Spain to commence legal and
medicinal studies. In 1903, however, due to the Spanish-American War,
Canales left Spain and enrolled in Baltimore's College of Law.
Upon obtaining his JD degree and returning to his native Puerto Rico, Canales
founded El Día, now known as El Nuevo Día, arguably the most successful
Puerto Rican periodical in history, and joined the law firm of the already
renown Luis Lloréns Torres. Shortly thereafter, Canales became an active
member of the Unionist Party and served in the Puerto Rican House of
Representatives.
Throughout his political career, Canales wrote extensively, producing columns
for his newspaper, poetry, short novels, a screenplay, and philosophical essays.
Prominent features of his work include deep understanding for human
sentiment, humoristic elements, and unwavering pride for his beloved Puerto
Rico.
On September 14, 1923, while bound for New York City on a steamer with the
intention of later heading to Washington, D.C. as a legal assistant to a
legislative Puerto Rican commission, Canales passed away.
Today, every year Puerto Rico awards the Nemesio Canales Award in
Literature to outstanding young writers and there now exists a public housing
project in San Juan bearing his name.
His statue (sculpted by Tomás Batista) stands in “La Plaza de Recreo Nemesio
R. Canales” in his hometown of Jayuya and the house in which he was raised
has been preserved is now open to the public as a museum.
Although Canales’ works are not as well-read as those of other Puerto Rican
writers, Canales has left us voluminous, qualitatively rich anthologies, and set
precedents for political objectives which, now realized, contribute to the
greatness of his legacy, and demonstrate his value as a progressive visionary.
Throughout his lifetime, studies, and travels, Nemesio Canales never forgot his
adored country and people, let us not forget him.
CREDITS
©1995-2015
All articles and photos are the property of
of the writer or photographer.
Staff
Ivonne Figueroa
Executive Editor & Gen. Mgr.
Javier Figueroa
Publisher
Anna María Vélez de Blas, Chef
Recipe Tester and Writer
Jaime Garibay Rivera, PhD
Jaime in the Kitchen, Food Blog
Guillermo ‘Don Guillo’ Andares, PhD
Gardening Tips for Puerto Ricans
Elena Cintrón Colón
Primos Editor
Diego Matos Dupree
Tavernero
Joe Román Santos
Travel Editor
Lisa Santiago Brochu, Chef
Restaurant Reviews
Luisa Yaliz Alaniz Cintrón, MD
Guest Writer
Betty Nieves-Ilyas
Guest Writer
Support Staff
Fernando Alemán Jr - Web Consultant
José Rubén de Castro -Photo Editor
María Yisel Mateo Ortiz -Development
Special Thanks to . . .
Tayna Miranda of MarkNetGroup.com
Natalie Rios
There are three Puerto Rico's you need to learn
about; the old, the new and the natural. Learn about
our little terruño. Subscribe to EL BORICUA, a
monthly cultural publication for Puerto Ricans.
http://www.elboricua.com/subscribenow.html
JANUARY 2015
EL BORICUA
PAGE 3
Those from Cabo Rojo are known as caborrojeños.
Trivia
Cabo Rojo is also known as El Pueblo de Cofresí"
Being the homebase of Puerto Rico’s best known
pirate.
Mi Puerto Rico
Joe Roman Santos, Editor
Boquerón Beach is on the southwest side of the island, and one of the top scenic Puerto Rico
Beaches. The tropical escape will provide you some of the best photography anywhere on
the island, and the numerous amenities will keep you here for hours. Whether you’re looking
for calm swimming water, snorkeling, sailing, or fishing, you will find it all at Boquerón Beach.
This is a state-run beach, so there are lifeguards, lockers, public bathrooms, showers, and
places to eat. Take in some of the best food in Puerto Rico at any one of the seaside
cabanas. Some of the best seafood and catch of the day can be found along with some more
American foods such as burgers, fries, and more.
Cabo Rojo’s name is due to the considerable
amount of minerals in its coasts that made the
waters look reddish. Cabo means headland
and rojo, means the color red.
Refrán . . .
Donde fueres, haz lo que vieres.
Joe is a schoolteacher in Houston and spends most of his holidays and summers in Puerto Rico.
Speaking Puerto Rican . . .
Lisa Santiago Brochu
Alcahuete: commonly used among Puerto
Ricans to describe a parent or guardian who
is too permissive and often leads to the
child's or young person's demise or failure.
Puerto Rico Restaurant Reviews
Buena Vibra Restaurant
Cabo Rojo
787-718-0024
Cuisines: Caribbean
Writers needed on a 6 month basis or more.
Guest Articles are always welcomed, just
email to [email protected]
Everything was very fresh, and you
could tell they took great care to
search for the food and prepare it.
A beautiful and simple presentation
with a great and simple taste.
http://www.elboricua.com/CCNOW_Calderos.html
Buena Vibra is the perfect place if you want to chill wearing your beachwear
without losing great tasty food. Starting with the ambience, very close to the
street, amongst palm trees and a farm, its vibrant green and fun, quirky
decorations accompanied by great music every time will make you feel right at
home. Everybody makes sure you have the best time, including the owner that
greets and check on you during you night, the servers that pay great attention
to details and the bar that provides a great variety of craft beers. The first time I
visited I had the plantain crusted salmon and it was so delicious and very moist
with the most delicious salad I´ve ever had in a restaurant.
* Lisa Santiago Brochu, is a trained professional Chef and a former restaurant owner in
New York. She travels to Puerto Rico on business often. Her island roots are in Caguas.
BORICUA . . .
is a powerful word.
It is our history,
it is our cultural affirmation,
it is a declaration,
it is a term of endearment,
it is poetic . . .
......
it is us.
JANUARY 2015
Hermosísima Cacica
de los montes tropicales,
la de la negra melena,
la de los ojos muy grandes;
tres lunas ha que te busco
por la orilla de los mares,
por la cima de los montes,
por el fondo de los valles.
Al no verte en el areito
ni en la choza de tus padres,
ni en el baño que cobijan
pomarrosas y arrayanes,
murió la risa en mis labios,
y de verter llanto a mares,
pierden su brillo los ojos
que reflejaron tu imagen.
Mis guerreros ya no tocan
caracoles y timbales,
y temerosos me siguen
sin atreverse a mirarme;
que a todo el mundo pregunto,
y no me responde nadie.
¿Do está? la hermosa Cacica
de los montes tropicales,
la de la negra melena,
la de los ojos muy grandes?
Le he prometido a quien diga
el lugar do puedo hallarte,
la mitad de la cosecha,
la mitad de mis palmares,
mi castillo de Cacique,
el que heredé de mis padres,
hecho con oro del Yunque
sin liga de otros metales;
mis más hermosos aretes,
mis más hermosos collares
y con mi carcaj de concha
embutido de corales,
mis flechas más aguzadas
y mi arco de más alcance.
Los ancianos de la tribu
quieren el mando quitarme
porque dicen que el Cemí,
de rigor haciendo alarde,
me ha convertido en un niño
que nada entiende ni sabe,
que el jugo de la tebaiba
ha emponzoñado mi sangre.
¿Qué me importan las riquezas?
Los honores, equé me valen
si no he de verte a mi lado,
si conmigo no las parte
la hermosísima Cacica
de los montes tropicales,
la de la negra melena,
la de los ojos muy grandes?
EL BORICUA
¡Oh!, quién sabe si el Caribe,
como las marinas aves,
con alas de la tormenta
cruzó de noche los mares,
y en las playas de Borinquen
movió sus huestes falaces
como serpientes astutas,
como zamuros cobardes,
si hora gimes en prisiones
muy lejos de tus hogares,
y si mi nombre pronuncias
en medio de tristes ayes.
Si así fuera... por las playas,
por los montes y los valles
sonaran en son de guerra
caracoles y timbales;
y si piraguas no hubiesen
o los vientos me faltasen,
al frente de mis gandules
cruzara a nado los mares,
cayendo sobre esa tribu
y bañándome en su sangre,
como cae el guaraguao
sobre paloma cobarde.
Pues diera fuerza a mi brazo
y fortuna en el combate
el nombre de la Cacica
de los montes tropicales,
la de la negra melena,
la de los ojos muy grandes.
Más, ¡ay!, si mi amor olvidas
como el yagrumo variable;
si has dejado que otros ojos
con sus miradas te abrasen,
que otras manos te acaricien
y que otros labios te llamen.
Si oculta en la verde grata
al declinar de la tarde,
borras mis ardientes besos
con los besos de otro amante....
pues sabes que en ti no puedo
de tus traiciones vengarme;
permita el cielo, Cacica,
que en el próximo combate
caiga sin honra ni gloria
y que el pecho me traspase
una flecha de Caribe
mojada con el curare;
que al fin por tu amor muriendo
tal vez llegues a llorarme,
hermosísima Cacica
de los montes tropicales,
la de la negra melena,
la de los ojos muy grandes.
ROMANCE
José Gautier Benítez
PAGE 4
January 2,
1851
Manuel Elzaburu, founder of El Ateneo
Puertorriqueño, is born in San Juan
January 6
Día de Reyes
January 6,
1751
January 8,
1912
José Campeche, known as the island's first painter,
was born in San Juan.
José Ferrer Cintrón - successful actor and producer,
born in San Juan.
January 11,
1839
Eugenio María de Hostos y Bonilla, born in
Mayagüez, an educator who became involved in
politics. Hostos became famous throughout all
Latino America for his ideologies, and as a thinker,
critic, journalist, and sociologist.He lived most of
his adult life outside the island. He was a teacher
who founded colleges and universities. Hostos died
in Santo Domingo on August 11, 1903.
January 11,
1842
Salvador Brau Asencio, was a self-taught historian,
journalist, poet, and more. Brau was born in Cabo
Rojo. In 1903 he was named official historian. He
died on November 5th, 1912.
January 14,
1508
First school is founded in Caparra
January 15th, Museo del Barrio is established in New York
1969
City - Congratulations!
January 22,
1922
Sylvia Rexach, composer
January 28,
1869
Virgilio Dávila (poet) born in Toa Baja
Don Guillo, the gardener . . . .
Cleaning your garden water fountain is an easy fix using Hydrogen
Peroxide. Nothing will happen right away – but give it a day and you
will be shocked to see every bit of green slime gone and your fountain
returned to crystal clean beauty. It does not hurt the wildlife either,
because it turns into oxygen by the time those 24 hours are up. It will
only cost you one dollar. Just pour a bottle into the water of your
fountain and that’s it. For birth baths only need to use half a bottle.
Larger fountains need more. So simple!
JANUARY 2015
EL BORICUA
PAGE 5
Poemas Riqueños
Arrópame com mi bandera
Zuleika Merced
Cuando mi cuerpo muera arrópame con mi bandera
En el camposanto acuesta mi cuerpo inérte mirando al sol.
No me brindes por piedad ausente, una corona de flores.
Solo mi bandera, que con sus colores brindan suficiente amor.
Déja que mi cuerpo descanse en algún lejano monte.
Déja que los verdes verdes, se acuesten mirándolos yo.
Déja que la lluvia sutilmente bese siempre mi frente,
y el coquí me acompañe a mi tumba con su mejor canción.
Déja que aunque este muerta y aparente estar mi alma ausente,
déja que la montaña vierta en mi su llanto y su dolor.
Déja que mis luceros esten también en mi presente.
Este cielo mío que amo, su suelo Borincano de esplendor.
No quiero ver en tus ojos las lágrimas que se vierten,
Perfuma mi cuerpo inérte con gardenias silvestres.
Y con flores de moriviví adorna, si quieres mis manos.
Para aún así cuando este muerta sienta que las estoy pisando.
Para abrirse nuevamente en otro cielo quizás esta vez más lejano,
y la neblina del Yunque me abraze y me esté esperando.
A derramárse en mí, luz de luna y de madrúgada levantar el gallo.
Cuando me muera no llores.
¡Arrópame con mi bandera!
Mi cabello peinalo con las caricias suaves del árbol.
Y mi vestido sea las noches de ópalo de mi tierra,
mi almohada sea la playa para dormirme en sus brazos.
¡Arrópame con mi bandera!
Taino Cocktail
1 part Grenadine
1 part pineapple juice
1 part Curacao blue
1 part White Bacardi
Mix ingredients slowly in an ice filled highball glass. Pour
slowly in order to insure best color spread.
Será el sueño absoluto sacro-santo.
Que me acompañen, las palmas, los flamboyanes, los jíbaros del campo
¡Arrópame con mi bandera!
En las tardes hagan fiesta los cucúbanos.
Apacible recuerdo cuando la arena y mi cuerpo con el mar se besan,
cuando la ola insiste siempre de nuevo y en la noche nos alejamos.
Como lloran en mis versos en la noche ardiente mis luceros
¡Arrópame con mi bandera!
Será el abrazo de todos los boricuas mis hermanos
Me quedaré en la poesía loca, de lluvia de mis versos amados.
¡Arrópame con mi bandera!
Cubre mi cuerpo con malojillo verde, verde.
Mirando siempre a mi cielo azul de mi tierra en el ocaso.
Cuando el mar ajeno en el horizonte se pierde y se duerme.
Donde en silencio las nubes cantan con los angeles, hermosos su canto.
Corona mi frente con amapolas, rosas, café y una danza de laureles.
¡Que se quede mi cuerpo al fin para siempre, en mi bendito suelo
Borincano!
* Diego Matos Dupree, born in Bayamón, is a tavernero for a
popular cruise line and lives on board most of the year. He gets to
travel the world for free.
JANUARY 2015
EL BORICUA
PAGE 6
Our PRIMOS section journeys through Latin America celebrating our cousins.
This section was added in 1998 in order to become more inclusive and at the request of public schools using our publication in the classroom.
Elena Cintrón Colón
Primos Editor
Moros y Cristianos . . . Black beans and white rice.
2 cans (15.5 oz.) black beans, undrained
1 tbsp olive oil
¼ cup recaito
¼ tsp. cumin
1 bay leaf
1 packet Sazón con achiote
2 tbsp. Cooking Wine
1 tsp. White Vinegar
½ tsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. Sazonador Total
¼ cup chopped red peppers
½ cup water
* Elena, born and raised in Puerto
Rico to Brazilian and Peruvian
parents, lives in Buenos Aires most of
the year. She works for a large South
American firm and travels throughout
Latin America. She comes home to
San Juan.
In a small caldero, combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer uncovered
for about 10 minutes or so. Remove bay leaf. Serve over white rice.
Enough books have been written about Cuba to fill
an entire library, but few take the approach Chen
Lizra does with “My Seductive Cuba.” Deeply
personal and always engaging, Lizra — an Israeliborn dance instructor and entrepreneur now living in
Canada — fuses history and politics with her real-life
experiences among the people of this often-visited
but little-understood island. The result is a moving
portrayal of Cuba on the verge of historic change.
Packed with practical information on where to go in
Cuba, what to pack and the best ways to get there,
“My Seductive Cuba” also helps readers ferret out
persistent opportunists while finding Havana’s best
reggaetón, flamenco, jazz and salsa clubs. A glossary
of Cuban slang and a description of the Santería
religion — along with a vivid chapter titled “Getting
Possessed” — makes Lizra’s humorous travel guide
even more compelling. This is one book you won't
want to be without, even if you don’t plan on going
anywhere! Available online.
I wouldn't mind having a Cuban cigar
and a cup of Cuban coffee in the old
streets of Havana
JANUARY 2015
EL BORICUA
PAGE 7
Jaime in the Kitchen
A Food Blog
Cocina Criolla – Cooking Hints
By: Anna María Vélez de Blas
You don’t hear much about Almojabanas but they are a delicious cheese fritter
popular in the interior of Puerto Rico, in the mountains. A true jíbaro favorite.
They are simple to make and this recipe can make about 40 fritters in no time
at all. Rice flour is available where they sell Goya products. This is one of my
favorite party foods when I entertain. Just prepare the dough ahead of time.
Then drop by spoonfuls into the hot oil – no measuring. Some people say they
won’t eat fried foods but they eat this. Delicioso!
I knew my youngest daughter Mari was stopping by Saturday morning
about two weeks ago, so I cooked something to tempt her into staying
longer. My kids love their Puerto Rican pop and his cooking. I know their
weak point – so I decided to make Revoltillo de bacalao. When Mari
arrived to just say hi for a few minutes and give her old man a hug she
said…. ‘something smells gooood Papi, what are you making’? To make
a long story short, I was able to enjoy her company for almost two hours,
then ended up going shopping with her too. Never mind that we all went
out to the movies the night before.
Here’s a true Puerto Rican dish can be breakfast, lunch or dinner – at
least in my house.
Revoltillo de Bacalao
3 tablespoons oil
1 medium yellow onion, sliced
½ red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
½ green bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
1 small tomato, seeded and chopped small
1-1/2 pounds bacalao (salt codfish), desalted and shredded
6 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Almojabanas
MAKES ABOUT 40 CHEESE FRITTERS
Canola oil, for frying
2 cups milk
4 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 tsp. kosher salt
2 cups rice flour
2 tsp. baking powder
3 eggs, lightly beaten
8 oz mozzarella, shredded
In a medium size caldero boil milk, butter, and salt over high heat; let cool for
10 minutes. Stir in flour, baking powder, and eggs; return to heat and cook,
stirring, until dough thickens, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in
cheese. Heat 2” of oil in a heavy pan like a cast iron skillet. Drop tablespoons
of dough into oil; fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes.
*Anna, born in Bayamón and raised in Aibonito, is a Recipe Tester for EL BORICUA
and is also a professional Chef. She lives in California with her husband, Joe and their
three children.
Process the bacalao as usual. Rinse and boil for 30 minutes, change the
water; boil for 20 minutes, change the water; boil once more for about 15
minutes. Drain and let the fish cool down, then shred with your fingers.
Heat the oil in a skillet and saute the onion and bell pepper over medium
heat until the onion just browns. Add tomato and cook another 2 minutes
or so. Add the codfish and eggs and cook until the eggs are set. Season
with black pepper. Serve with toasted and buttered French bread.
* Jaime Garibay Rivera, Ph.D. is a retired college professor
(Aerophysics), now living in Miami. He has three children and his family
roots are in Mayagüez.
JANUARY 2015
EL BORICUA
PAGE 8
Nuestra Cocina Criolla
RopaVieja
A Cuban recipe adopted by Puerto Ricans
Seared Caribbean Salmon
1½ teaspoons olive oil
4 pieces, 6-ounce salmon fillets, about 1 1/4 inches thick
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 pkt Sazón with achiote
1 tsp Sazonador Total (Goya)
Set a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. When a drop of water
skitters on the surface, after about 3 minutes, add the oil. Tilt the pan to
coat the bottom evenly and heat until the oil is almost smoking, about
30 seconds.
Season the salmon with the salt, Sazón, and Sazonador and add to the
skillet, skinned side down. Cook until golden brown on the bottom,
about 5 minutes, pressing down with a flat instrument now and then.
Turn the salmon, lower the heat to moderate and sear until just cooked,
2 to 3 minutes longer.
Serve with rice and tostones and a green salad.
2 ½ lbs Flank steak, cut in approx. 3 inch x 4 inch strips
2 tbsp olive oil
Adobo with Pepper, to taste
6 cloves fresh garlic, minced
2 ½ cups onions, finely diced
1 ½ cups green bell pepper, finely diced
¼ tsp. ground black pepper
1 can (8oz.) tomato sauce
6 oz. sofrito
3 cups water
1 packet Sazón with coriander and annatto
1 packet powered beef bouillon
2 oz. capers, drained
1 cup Manzanilla stuffed olives, sliced
Season meat with Adobo. In skillet, heat oil on medium high. Brown meat
on both sides. Remove and keep warm. Lower heat to medium, stir in
garlic, onion, and green pepper and cook stirring often until vegetables are
soft, about 10 minutes. Stir in black pepper and tomato sauce and cook,
stirring often for 5 minutes. Stir in Sofrito, water, Sazón and Bouillon and
bring to a boil. Return meat to pan, cover, lower heat and simmer for 45
minutes stirring occasionally. Stir in the Capers and Olives and continue to
simmer, covered until meat is very tender and shreds easily, about 1-1 ½
hours. Add more water, ¼ cup at a time, if sauce gets too dry. To serve,
shred meat with 2 forks, mix back into sauce. Serve over rice.
Olive Dip
1 jar (6.75 oz.) Manzanilla olives with pimientos, drained and finely chopped
2 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, at room temperature
½ cup mayo
½ small yellow onion, finely chopped (about ½ cup)
1 tsp. GOYA® Sazonador Total
2 tbsp. finely chopped chives, divided
In medium bowl, using whisk,
beat together cream cheese and
mayonnaise until smooth. Stir in
olives, onions, Sazonador and 1
tbsp. chives. Transfer dip to
refrigerator; chill until cold and
firm, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle
dip with remaining chives.
JANUARY 2015
EL BORICUA
PAGE 9
Nuestra Cocina Criolla
Garbanzo Salad
Budin de Amarillos
Sweet Plantain Bread Pudding
For the caramel:
For the Bread Pudding:
1 cup sugar
2 cups whole milk
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 cup water
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. vanilla extract
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
½ lb. French bread, torn into bite-size pieces (5 cups), and dried out overnight
1 pkg. (11 oz.) GOYA® ripe plantains
Heat oven to 350°F. Add sugar and water to small saucepan set over mediumhigh heat. Bring water to boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Using pastry brush
dipped in water, clean off any sugar stuck to sides of pan. Continue to boil,
without stirring, swirling pan over even cooking, until sugar caramelizes,
turning deep amber, 10-12 minutes. Carefully pour caramel into heatproof 9”diameter round pan. Set pan aside until caramel hardens and cools.
In medium saucepan over medium-high heat, heat milk, condensed milk,
cinnamon and vanilla, stirring occasionally, until sides of milk begin to bubble,
but milk does not boil. Remove pan from heat. Crack eggs into large, heatproof bowl. Using whisk, lightly beat eggs. Whisk warm milk mixture into eggs,
¼ cup at a time, whisking vigorously to combine after each addition, until
smooth and combined. Add dried bread to bowl, mixing to coat completely; let
sit until bread is completely saturated, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, remove plastic wrapping from tray of ripe plantains. Microwave on
high power until defrosted. Coarsely chop plantains; transfer to bowl with
bread, stirring to combine.
Pour plantain mixture into prepared pan. Set pan in larger, deep baking pan.
Add enough hot (not boiling) water to come half-way up the sides of round pan.
Cover tightly with foil. Bake until bread pudding is puffed and thin knife inserted
into center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.
Transfer bread pudding pan to cooling rack; cool to room temperature. To
unmold, run thin knife around sides of pan. Invert onto serving plate. Cut into
wedges; serve warm with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
1 can chickpeas
2 tbp chopped celery
2 tbp chopped red pepper
1/4 cup chopped broccoli
2 tbp thinly sliced carrot
1 thinly sliced green onion
1.5 tbp chopped sun dried tomato (form jar)
3/4 tsp cumin powder
2 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp red wine vinegar
1 tbp extra virgin olive oil
2 shakes Goya Sazonador Total
1tbp chopped cilantro
½ tsp crushed pepper flakes
1 avocado sliced
salt and black pepper as per taste
Drain and rinse the chickpeas in colander and let them drain.
In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard
and Sazonador Total.
In a large bowl warm chickpeas in microwave for 1 minute.
Toss with chopped red pepper, broccoli, carrot, sun dried tomato,
celery, cilantro, crushed pepper flakes, green onion and cumin
powder.
Drizzle dressing over Chickpea Salad. Mix nicely. Season with salt
and pepper. Garnish with sliced avocado.
JANUARY 2015
EL BORICUA
PAGE 10
Nuestra Música
Miguel Piñero
Miguel Piñero, December 19, 1946 – June 16, 1988, was the first Puerto Rico
to have a play debut on Broadway. The play was titled “Short Eyes” and ran on
the stage in the 1970’s, after famous director Joseph Papp saw it performed at a
church. It is the story of the lives of prison inmates. It is written from the
memories of Mr. Piñero’s own history.
He lived a difficult childhood. Originally from Gurabo, Puerto Rico, he arrived
on Manhattan’s Lower East side in 1950 at the age of four. A troubled
upbringing landed him behind prison walls. The play “Short Eyes” was
actually written while incarcerated. I suppose talent knows no barrier and the
poet is a poet wherever he is.
The play went on to gain phenomenal acclaim. It was nominated for six Tony
awards and won the Obie for best play of the year. “Short Eyes” was also made
into a book, movie, and had great success in Europe as well.
Mr. Piñero was also the co-founder of the famous Nuyorican Poets Café on
Lower Manhattan. The café prides itself on presenting the poetry that sings of
the Nuyorican experience till this day.
He was a talented writer, playwright, and poet who unfortunately continued to
live a troubled life. However, he made history on the Broadway stage. Perhaps,
that is how he should be remembered.
Mr. Pinero's other works for the theater included ''Straight From the Ghetto,''
''Eulogy for a Small-Time Thief,'' ''The Sun Always Shines for the Cool'' and ''A
Midnight Moon at the Greasy Spoon.'' His Art Imitated His Life.
Miguel Piñero died of cirrhosis of the liver at Bellevue Hospital in NYC. He
was 41 years old and lived in the Bronx.
*Betty is a literacy teacher in Harlem and writes
children’s books. She is publishing her first, “La
Despeinada” in late spring. Betty lives with her two
children Natasha and Xavier in Brooklyn, New York.
Efraín David Fines Nevares known professionally as Tito
"El Bambino" is a Puerto Rican recording artist. He rose
to fame as Tito of the duo Héctor & Tito.
Tito "El Bambino" enters Billboard's Top Latin
Albums chart at No. 3 with Alta Jeraquia (3,000
first-week copies sold, according to Nielsen
Music).
The predominantly urban set, with tropical tracks
scattered throughout, also leaps 13-1 on Latin
Rhythm Albums (following an early debut last
week due to street date violation sales), landing
him his fifth chart-topper.
His single "A Que No Te Atreves," featuring
Chencho, climbs 37-33 on Hot Latin Songs and
jumps by 55 percent in digital sales. It spent five
weeks atop Latin Rhythm Songs, first reaching at
No. 1 on Sept. 20.